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The original Golf Course was laid out in
1901 by Willie Fernie for the 3rd Marquess of
Ailsa. This Course was soon taken over by the
Glasgow and South Western Railway, a Company
setting up the first Golf Resorts. Turnberry
Hotel opened in 1906, first Golf Resort of its
kind.
The Par 4 9th soon became one of the top
Holes in the World, requiring a long Drive over
Rocks and Sea to reach the Fairway.
The Lighthouse at the 9th is built on the
ruins of Turnberry Castle, birthplace of King
Robert the Bruce in 1274.
In the early 2000s, former Golfer and
Commentator, Peter Alliss, began talking about
the 9th being turned into a Par 3, with the
Green next to the Lighthouse, stating it would
then be the Top Hole in World Golf.
2014 - Donald Trump bought Turnberry,
setting about Changing a Few Holes.
2016 - Trump had the 9th changed to a Par 3
of 245 yards off the Back Tee out on the Rocks,
with the Green next to the Lighthouse.
The 10th was changed to a Par 5, with the
Back Tee requiring a long Drive over the Sea,
Cave and Rocks.
The 11th was originally a Par 3 from a Tee
on Rocks with the Green inland. This Hole is
still a Par 3, but the Green was relocated
north, next to the Sea.
These three Holes are now probably the top
group of Holes in the World.
Turnberry has held The Open in 1977 - winner
Tom Watson, 1986 - winner Greg Norman, 1994 -
winner Nick Price, and 2009 when Stewart Cink
beat the 59 year old Tom Watson in a Play
Off.
The Clubhouse Restaurant is now named The
Duel in the Sun, after the final round between
Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977.
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